National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has launched a sharp public attack against Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata after the governor announced he would not defend his seat on the UDA ticket in the 2027 General Election.

Ichung’wah made the remarks on his Facebook page on Sunday, May 3, 2026, the same day Kang’ata addressed journalists about his political future. In the post, he directly confronted the governor, accusing him of hypocrisy, dishonesty, and repeatedly using his name in political exchanges.

“My friend Kang’ata, Governor Murang’a. What is it I am hearing that you claim I have been pressuring you?” Ichung’wah wrote. He insisted that his earlier comments at Kenneth Matiba Hospital were made in public and were not meant to pressure the governor but to challenge what he described as political hypocrisy.

The Majority Leader also referred to a past meeting held in Lavington during the impeachment period. He said that the meeting reflected what real political pressure looked like. According to him, Kang’ata had, at the time, pushed to be considered for the position of Deputy President.

“I gave you my piece of mind on your candidature and the politics of hypocrisy that I read in your quest,” he said. “I am still of the same view today as I shared with you.”

Ichung’wah then warned Kang’ata against invoking his name in political dealings linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. He accused the governor of trying to use his influence for political gain.

“Desist from name-dropping my name to please Gachagua to drop your competitors,” he wrote. “Pay the ransoms he demands if you desire to be his candidate.”

He went further and issued a more serious warning, saying he could reveal full details of their Lavington meeting, including what he claimed was Kang’ata’s handling of Murang’a County resources. He said such disclosures would not be in the governor’s interest.

“I have chosen this public response since you chose to use that same route,” Ichung’wah said. He ended by challenging Kang’ata to consider whether he wanted him to make a full public disclosure of everything he knows.

Kang’ata announces UDA exit

Kang’ata had earlier on Sunday, May 3, 2026, announced that he would not seek re-election on the UDA ticket. His statement came shortly after President William Ruto visited Murang’a County for a church service at AIC Githumu in Kandara.

Speaking to the press, Kang’ata said he had already engaged the president in a one-on-one discussion to try to resolve internal disagreements within the party. However, he said they did not reach an agreement.

“We did not reach what we call ‘full convergence,” he said. Kang’ata added that the President has often stressed that “the people are supreme” and said he would follow the will of Murang’a residents.

He confirmed that he will later announce the political platform he will use to defend his seat in 2027 but ruled out ambitions for higher office.

“I do not intend to run to become the president of Kenya, nor do I want to become the deputy president in this country,” Kang’ata said. He stressed that his focus remains on defending his governorship.

Despite his announcement, Kang’ata said he will remain a committed member of UDA and continue working with the national government until his term ends.

He also raised concerns about pressure during recent presidential visits to Murang’a, saying he had been pushed to publicly endorse government programmes.

His announcement has added fresh tension within UDA, coming weeks after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua warned that he would back a rival candidate in Murang’a if Kang’ata refused to align with his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).